NEWS

RSU Adult Degree
Completion Program Begins March 5

A degree completion program for
working adults who once attended college but never finished
their degree will begin on March 5 at
Rogers
State University.

The bachelor of
science (B.S.) in organizational leadership will be offered in a
flexible, accelerated format to assist more adults in northeast
Oklahoma
to earn a four-year degree, said RSU President Dr.
Joe Wiley.

The first
eight-week block of classes will begin on Monday, March 5, and
ends on April 28 at the RSU campuses in Claremore and Bartlesville.

"This is a second chance for adults
to finish their degree while keeping their normal routines and
maintaining regular work hours, yet still having time for their
families," Wiley said.

The degree may be earned entirely
via the Internet through the RSU Online program, and will be the
fourth bachelor's degree to be offered online at RSU.

Classes toward the degree will be
offered in convenient, eight-week "mini-semesters." Many
students will be able to complete the program and earn their
degree in as little as 18 months.

Students will be allowed
to enroll in the program at four times throughout the year. They
will be placed into classes with their peers, allowing them the
opportunity to study together and share their experiences. Most
assignments may be completed online, providing a maximum level
of flexibility, according to Dr. >Larry Minks>,
RSU vice president for academic affairs.

"Our goal is to make this program as
convenient and flexible as possible for working adults who have
told us they don't have time to return to college," Minks said.
"We're committed to doing everything we can to get them back
into college to complete their degree without too much
disruption to their busy lives."

Recognizing that adult students bring a variety of experiences
with them when enrolling in college, RSU will work with students
to assess any college-level learning they may have acquired
before enrolling in the program. Through prior learning
assessment (PLA), students will actively examine their own
experiences in work, training, volunteer work and life that may
qualify as college-level learning to qualify for college credit.

The new degree is part of
the Oklahoma Adult Degree Completion Program, a statewide
initiative to increase the number of state residents who have
earned bachelor's degrees, spearheaded by the Oklahoma State
Regents for Higher Education. This spring, 10 public
universities in
Oklahoma
are participating in the program, including RSU.

According to research completed by the state
regents office, more than 69,000 Oklahoma residents have earned
some college credit but have not completed all requirements
necessary to receive a bachelor's degree. In addition, a smaller
percentage of Oklahomans have earned college degrees compared to
surrounding states and the national average.

"RSU is pleased to play a
leading role in helping more residents in northeast Oklahoma
to earn their degrees," Wiley said. "Countless studies have
shown that a more highly educated populace leads to a better
economy, higher per capita incomes and an overall higher quality
of life."

Program curriculum
consists of classes that cover topics and skills important in
today's workforce, including organizational behavior, ethics,
interpersonal skills, management, finance and communication, and
also includes group projects and a senior capstone course. The
curriculum was developed by faculty throughout the state with
feedback from business and industry leaders in Oklahoma
and assistance from the Council on Adult and Experiential
Learning.

The broad-based degree will prepare students
for a wide variety of careers including education, government,
corporate and non-profit environments.

For more information on the Adult Degree
Completion Program at RSU, or to enroll in the first eight-week
block of classes, call (918) 343-7520.